Brick laying structure, brick laying method, and brick manufacturing method

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a bricklaying structure, a bricklaying method and brick manufacturing method adaptable to a variety of architectural details of structure such as corner, opening and columnar configurations. The brick ( 1; 1′;10;20;30;40 ) is provided with a bolt hole ( 7;17;27;37;47 ) and through-holes ( 8;18;28;38;48 ). The bolt hole has a diameter which allows a bolt ( 60 ) to extend therethrough and the through-hole has a diameter for containing a nut ( 70 ). The bolt hole and through-holes are arranged on a longitudinal center line of the brick in order, and a center of the bolt hole, centers of the through-holes and respective end faces of the brick are spaced apart an equal distance from each other in a longitudinal direction of the brick. The bricks and metallic plates are vertically stacked and the bricks are integrally connected under pre-stress with each other by tightening the bolts ( 60 ) extending through the vertical bolt holes. In the corner part in which the bricks join together at a predetermined angle with each other, the bolt holes and through-holes are vertically aligned at an intersecting zone of wall (external corner or internal corner) so as to form a continuous and vertical hole. The bolts ( 60;65 ) are inserted into the vertical hole and the nuts ( 69;70 ) are tightened to the bolt. The vertically adjacent bricks are integrally joined under pre-stress by securely tightening the bolts and nuts.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a bricklaying structure,bricklaying method and brick manufacturing method, and morespecifically, to such structure and methods desirably adaptable toarchitectural details, e.g., corner part, opening part and columnarpart.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] Various kinds of building construction methods are known in theart, such as wooden, reinforced concrete, steel and block masonryconstruction methods. As a kind of such construction methods, abricklaying method is known, in which a brick wall structure isconstructed by bricklaying. In general, bricks produced by baking brickclay at a high temperature are highly regarded in architectural designeffects or aesthetic effects resulting from their textures, statelyappearances, colors and so forth. The bricks also exhibit theirexcellent physical performances with respect to durability, soundinsulation effect, fire resistance efficiency, heat accumulation effectand so forth. Therefore, the bricks have been popularly used worldwidefor a long time and widely employed as materials for architectural wallstructures.

[0003] A conventional bricklaying construction method is a kind of wetconstruction method, in which bricks are built-up in multiple steps orlayers with use of a bonding material such as cement mortar and anappropriate reinforcement such as wire meshes, steel bars or the like.Therefore, the evaluation of construction works with regard to itsquantity and quality substantially relies on the skill and technique ofbricklayer. Thus, it is difficult to economically carry out abricklaying construction method at a low price, in comparison with theother types of building construction methods suitable for industrialmass production processes. Further, a wall of architecture constructedwith bricklaying mehtod can be preferably used as a wall structure of aresidential house since it takes desirable architectural design effect,heat accumulation effect and so forth. However, the brick wall structurehas a drawback as to an earthquake resistance in comparison to the otherkinds of building structures, such as a reinforced concrete structure.

[0004] The present inventor et al. have already developed an earthquakeresistant bricklaying construction methods in which bricks are stackedin a multiple layer while pre-stress is introduced into the bricks bytightening force of metallic bolts. Those methods have been proposed inJapanese patent applications Nos. 4-51893, 5-91674, 6-20659, 7-172603and 8-43014.

[0005] According to the bricklaying construction developed by thepresent inventors et. al, bricklaying works can be surely and accuratelycarried out in a multiple layer formation without depending on the skillof bricklayers, and a brick wall can be made by a dry-constructionmethod. These methods have advantages in that in-situ clean up works andin-situ material transfer works are simplified or relieved while theupper limit in height of executable brick wall per day is substantiallyraised. In addition, vertical pre-stress is applied to the verticallyadjacent bricks by tightening force of the metallic bolts, so that thetoughness and strength of the brick wall can be substantially enhancedagainst temporary horizontal loading. Thus, the bricklaying constructionmethods by the present inventors et. al enable mass-productive andcost-reductive provision of brick structure houses and the like, andfurther, those methods are preferably applicable to walls of residentialhouses and the like so as to effect sufficient earthquake resistanceperformances.

[0006] However, the prior research and study have been mainly directedto bricks adaptable for bricklaying construction of a standard straightwall, whereas the bricks have to be adapted to a wide variety ofarchitectural details and joint structures in practical buildingstructures. For instance, walls of actual buildings are provided withvarious types of partial structures, such as internal corners, externalcorners, columnar configurations, openings and so forth, but the brickswhich have been studied or researched are not preferably applicable tosuch architectural details or structures.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a bricklayingstructure and a bricklaying method which can be adapted to a variety ofbuilding structural details such as corner, opening and columnarconfigurations.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a brickmanufacturing method for manufacturing bricks adaptable to a variety ofbuilding structural details such as corner, opening and columnarconfigurations.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides a bricklaying structure which hasbricks and metal plates stacked, and fastening means extending throughbolt holes of the bricks, the fastening means securely tightened tointegrally connect the vertically adjacent bricks under pre-stress,comprising said brick provided with a bolt hole (7;17;27;37;47) of asmall diameter vertically extending through the brick and at least twothrough-holes (8;18;28;38;48) having a diameter larger than the diameterof said bolt hole,

[0010] wherein said bolt hole has a diameter which allows a bolt (60)constituting said fastening means to extend therethrough,

[0011] said through-hole has a diameter for containing a nut (70) whichcan be engaged with said bolt,

[0012] said bolt hole and through-holes are arranged on a longitudinalcenter line of said brick in order, and a center of said bolt hole,centers of said through-holes and respective end faces of said brick arespaced apart an equal distance from each other in a longitudinaldirection of said brick.

[0013] Preferably, the end face of the brick is provided with a verticalgroove (9;29;39;49) in a form of semicircle, a center of curvature ofthe groove is positioned on the center line. The groove defines avertical channel (80) in cooperation with a vertical groove of anadjacent brick, and the channel has a diameter for containing the nut.More preferably, the through-holes form a vertically continuous holethrough which a long bolt (65) of a large diameter can be inserted, whenthe bricks are laid in a condition that the bricks are alternatelyoriented at a right angle with each other and that the through-holes arevertically in alignment with each other.

[0014] The present invention also provides a bricklaying method in whichbricks and metal plates with bolt holes are alternately stacked andsmall diameter bolts (60) extending through said bolt holes are securelytightened to vertically and integrally connect said bricks with eachother, while imposing pre-stress on said bolts, comprising the steps of:

[0015] stacking corner bricks (10;20;30;40), each having a through-hole(18;28;38;48) vertically extending therethrough with a diameter of saidthrough-hole being larger than a diameter of said bolt hole(17;27;37;47), so that said through-holes are vertically arranged inorder; and

[0016] inserting through said through-hole, a large diameter long bolt(65) with its diameter being larger than that of said small diameterbolt, and securely tightening said corner bricks by said long bolt.

[0017] Further, the present invention provides a bricklaying method inwhich bricks and metal plates with bolt holes are alternately stackedand small diameter bolts (60) extending through said bolt holes aresecurely tightened to vertically and integrally connect said bricks witheach other, while imposing pre-stress on said bolts, comprising thesteps of:

[0018] stacking corner bricks (10;20;30;40), each having a through-hole(18;28;38;48) vertically extending therethrough with a diameter of saidthrough-hole being larger than a diameter of said bolt hole(17;27;37;47), so that said bolt holes and said through-holes arevertically and alternately arranged in order; and containing in saidthrough-hole, nuts (70) engageable with said small diameter bolts tosecurely tighten said corner bricks with said small diameter bolts andsaid nuts.

[0019] Preferably, a straight wall (W) is constructed by laying regularbricks (1), each having a raised center part (2 a) on its top face and askirt (4) along a side edge of its bottom face, the corner bricks arelaid at a corner part (C) of the wall, and a flat-bottom-type bricks(1′) are laid at a portion of the wall at least partially overlappingthe corner bricks, the flat-bottom-type brick having a configuration ofthe regular brick from which the skirt is excluded.

[0020] According to the aforementioned arrangement of the presentinvention, each of the bricks is provided with the bolt hole forinsertion of the fastening means, and the bricks are connected with eachother under pre-stress by keeping the fastening means through the bolthole in tensile condition. The brick has a large diameter through-holewith its diameter being larger than the diameter of the bold hole, andthe through-hole vertically extends through the brick. In the cornerpart in which the bricks join together at a predetermined angle witheach other, the through-holes are vertically aligned at an intersectingzone (external corner or internal corner) so as to form a vertical holeof a relatively large diameter for inserting the long and relativelylarge diameter bolt (65) thereinto. The long bolt inserted in thevertical hole is rendered in tensile condition, so that the bricks inthe corner are integrally assembled to be structurally stabilized. In anopening frame portion of an opening of the wall at which the wallterminates, or in a deformed wall part such as columnar configurationpart, the through-hole and the bolt hole are vertically aligned andarranged vertically in an alternate order. The nut (70) is contained inthe through-hole and the bolt (60) of a relatively small diameter isinserted into the bolt hole, the nut and bolt constituting the fasteningmeans. The vertically adjacent bricks are integrally joined underpre-stress by securely tightening the bolt (60) to the nut (70) in thethroughhole.

[0021] From another aspect, the present invention provides a method ofmanufacturing a brick used for a bricklaying structure in which thebricks and metal plates are alternately stacked and fastening meansextending through bolt holes of the bricks are securely tightened so asto connect the vertically adjacent bricks integrally under pre-stress ofthe said fastening means, comprising:

[0022] forming a bolt hole (7;17;27;37;47) vertically extending throughthe brick and at least two through-holes (8;18;28;38;48), with the holesbeing spaced an equal distance from each other on a longitudinal centerline of the brick, said bolt hole having a diameter for allowing a bolt(60) of said fastening means to extend therethrough, and saidthrough-hole having a diameter for containing a nut (70) engageable withsaid bolt,

[0023] whereby plural sorts of irregular bricks applicable toarchitectural details of structure are manufactured in dependence onarrangements of said bolt hole and through-holes.

[0024] Preferably, a semicircular vertical groove (9;29;39;49) isfurther formed on an end face of the brick so that the vertical groovedefines a vertical channel (80) in cooperation with a vertical groove ofan adjacent brick, the channel having a diameter for containing the nut(70) of the fastening means.

[0025] According to the present invention, the number, arrangement andcombination of the through-hole, bolt hole and semicircular verticalgroove are appropriately predetermined or altered, whereby various kindsof corner bricks adaptable to a variety of architectural details can bemanufactured. The bolt hole, through-hole and vertical groove arearranged in order along the center line of the brick and the centers ofbolt hole and through-holes are located in positions which divide thelength of brick into equal sections, e.g., four equal sections.Appropriate setting or revision of the combination of bolt hole,through-hole and vertical groove in correspondence with the object orsubject of use allows a variety of corner bricks to be manufactured.This makes it practicable to standardize the production, specificationand usage of the bricks. Further, the arrangement of the presentinvention is advantageous to reduction of drying time of the brick in adrying process, since the entire surface area of the brick is increasedby the through-hole and the vertical groove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026]FIG. 1 is an illustration showing a plan, front elevation and sideelevation of a profile of regular brick;

[0027]FIG. 2 is an illustration showing a plan, front elevation and sideelevation of a profile of flat-bottom-type brick;

[0028]FIG. 3 is an illustration showing a plan, front elevation and sideelevation of a profile of first corner brick;

[0029]FIG. 4 is an illustration showing plan views of profiles ofsecond, third and fourth corner bricks;

[0030]FIG. 5 is an illustration showing plan views of metallic plates;

[0031]FIGS. 6 through 8 are cross-sectional views and a perspective viewshowing a bricklaying method;

[0032]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a corner part of wallconstructed in accordance with the bricklaying method as shown in FIGS.6 to 8;

[0033]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a corner part of wall as analternative example of that shown in FIG. 9;

[0034]FIG. 11 is an illustration of schematic plan views showingarrangements of bolt holes and channels in the corner part as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10;

[0035]FIG. 12 is a perspective view which exemplifies architecturaldetails around an opening of a single-brick wall constructed inaccordance with the bricklaying method as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8;

[0036]FIG. 13 is a perspective view which exemplifies architecturaldetails around an opening of a double-bricks wall constructed inaccordance with the bricklaying method as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8; and

[0037]FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a structure of columnar partconstructed in accordance with the bricklaying method as shown in FIGS.6 to 8.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0038] With reference to the attached drawings, preferred embodiments ofthe present invention is described hereinafter.

[0039] Various kinds of profiles of bricks are illustrated in plan,front elevational and side elevational views of FIGS. 1 to 4, and theprofile of metallic plates inserted between the vertically adjacentbricks are illustrated in a plan view of FIG. 5. A profile of a regularbrick is illustrated in FIG. 1, and a profile of a flat-bottom-typebrick is illustrated in FIG. 2. In FIGS. 3 and 4, there are shownprofiles of irregular or purpose-made bricks used for corner parts, suchas an external corner, an internal corner or a columnar configuration.

[0040] The regular brick as shown in FIG. 1 is an integrally formedproduct made from clay by high temperature baking, which has a bodyportion 2 and offset portions 3 on both sides thereof. The approximatelength, width and height are set to be, e.g., 240 mm, 85 mm and 85 mm,respectively. The body portion 2 is provided with a flat top face 2 aslightly raised from the offset portion 3, and header faces of the bodyportion 2 slightly protrude from ends of the offset portion 3 in adirection of a center line of wall. When the bricks 1 are laid, ahorizontal joint is formed between the vertically adjacent bricks 1 anda vertical joint is formed between the horizontally adjacent bricks 1.If desired, the joints are filled with joint filler such as a sealingcompound. The raised section and header face section of the body portion2 function as backing means for the joint filler when the filler isinjected into the joints.

[0041] The external surface of the offset portion 3 presents a pattern,color and visual character peculiar to bricks. The offset portion 3 is,e.g., 10 mm to 15 mm in thickness and the total width T of the brick 1including the offset portion 3 is set to be approximately 110 mm. Thelength and height of the offset portion 3 are set to be slightly smallerthan those of the body portion 2. For example, the offset portion 3 isapproximately 230 mm and 75 mm in length and height.

[0042] The lower end portion of the offset portion 3 forms a skirt 4depending from a lower face of the body portion 2 by a distance of 3 to5 mm. A recess 5 is formed between the skirts 4 on both sides, and thelower face of the bottom portion 2 defines a bottom face 5 a of therecess 5. Side zones of the bottom face 5 a are formed with lineargrooves 5 b.

[0043] The top and bottom faces 2 a, 5 b of the brick 1 are ground by agrinding tool after molding and baking processes. As the recess 5 has afunction of parting edges for parting the lower surface of the bodyportion 2 and the skirts 4, the grinding operation of the bottom facecan be limited in an area slightly narrower than the width of the recess5. Therefore, a grinding tool for the grinding process can relativelyeasily grind the overall lower face of the body portion 2 to level andflatten the entire area, without wear of the tool by contact with theskirt 4. Thus, the brick 1 is provided with the top face 2 a and thebottom face 5 b ground in a grinding process, so that precision of theheight of the bricks 1 and accuracy of the bricklaying work in abricklaying process are substantially improved.

[0044] The top face 2 a, which is elevated from the upper face of theoffset portion 3 by 10 to 15 mm as set forth above, is formed withsquare shoulders 6 of dimension of 10 to 15 mm on both sides of the bodyportion 2. The shoulders 6 receive the skirts 4 of the upper brick 1upon bricklaying work, so that a horizontal joint of 5 to 10 mm in sizeis formed between the vertically adjacent bricks 1. Therefore, sharpedges of the top face 2 a and the bottom face 5 a, which are made bygrinding for improving the accuracy, are concealed behind the skirt 4,and the edges are invisible from the outside. The overall wall surfaceof the bricks 1 shows their desired patterns and appearances, and thehorizontal joint structure formed by overlapping the skirt 4 and theelevated section acts to effectively prevent leakage of rain water andthe like from occurring, which might be, otherwise, caused by itssurface tension.

[0045] The body portion 2 is provided with a bolt hole 7 of a relativelysmall diameter, through-holes 8 of a relatively large diameter, andsemicircular grooves 9 vertically extending on the both end faces.Centers of curvatures of the hole 7, through-holes 8 and grooves 9 arepositioned on a center line of the body portion 2, spaced an equaldistance from each other, and the through-holes 8 are disposed insymmetric position with respect to the bolt hole 7. For example, thecenters of the circles and semicircles are spaced an equal distance S,which is approximately 60 mm, in a case where the length of L of brick 1is 240 mm, and a radius d/2 of the bolt hole 7 is, e.g., set to beapproximately 4 mm, and a radius D/2 of the through-hole 8 and thecurvature of the groove 9 is, e.g., set to be approximately 20 mm.

[0046] The through-hole 8 allows the mass of the brick 1 to be reducedfor making the lightweight brick 1, and increases the whole surface areaof the brick 1 for reduction in drying time of the brick during brickmanufacturing process (drying step). Further, the brick 1 with thethrough-hole 8 having a large diameter is applicable to various types oflayout of fastening means (bolts and nuts) in corners of walls, ends ofwall, and so forth.

[0047] The flat bottom type of brick 1′ as shown in FIG. 2 is made bygrinding the whole bottom face in a grinding step after forming andbaking steps, so that it is not provided with the aforementioned skirt.Therefore, the brick 1′ has an overall height H′ smaller than an overallheight H of the regular brick 1 by a height of the skirt 4. Although thebrick 1′ differs from the regular brick 1 in that it has an entirelyflat bottom face 5 a, the other structures and specification thereof issubstantially the same as those of the regular brick 1.

[0048] A configuration of a first form of corner brick 10 (referred toas “first corner brick 10″ hereinafter) is generally illustrated in FIG.3. The first corner brick 10 is an integrally formed product which isproduced by high-temperature baking of clay, similarly to theaforementioned bricks 1,1′. However, the first corner brick 10 differsfrom the bricks 1,1′ in that the provision of semicircular groove isomitted from the end face so as to make the brick 10 to be an entirerectangular profile, and the top and bottom faces of the brick 10 arewholly ground in a grinding step after forming and baking steps.

[0049] The length L, width T and height H′ are set to be, e.g.,approximately 230 mm, 110 mm and 85 mm, respectively. The first cornerbrick 10 is provided with the bolt hole 17 having a relatively smalldiameter and the through-hole 18 having a relatively large diameter,similarly to the aforementioned bricks 1, 1′, wherein the bolt hole 17and through-holes 18 are arranged in order in a longitudinal directionof the brick 10. The brick 10 differs from the bricks 1, 1′ in that thethrough-hole 18 is positioned at a center of the brick 10. The secondthrough-hole 18 is positioned at a center of one half of the brick 10and the bolt hole 17 is positioned at a center of the other half of thebrick 10. The diameters d and D of the hole 17, 18 are respectively setto be substantially the same as those of the holes 7, 8 (approximately 8mm and 40 mm).

[0050] Second, third and fourth forms of the corner bricks 20, 30, 40are illustrated in FIGS. 4(A), 4(B) and 4(C) respectively, which areproduced in a profile of rectangular shape by high-temperature baking ofclay. Each of the first, second and third configurations of bricks 20,30, 40 (referred to as “second corner brick 20”, “third corner brick 30”and “fourth corner brick 40” hereinafter) includes two through-holes28:38:48 and a single bolt hole 27:37:47, as in the first corner brick10, but it differs therefrom in that a vertical semicircular groove29:39:49 is provided on one of end faces. The bricks 20:30:40 havesubstantially the same dimensions as the first corner brick 10 has, andthe diameters d and D of the bolt hole 27:37:47 and the through-holes28:38:48 are substantially the same as those of the first corner brick10.

[0051] The second corner brick 20 (FIG. 4(A)) has a layout of the holes27, 28 identical with the layout of the holes 17, 18 of the first cornerbrick 10. The end face on a side provided with the bolt hole 17 isformed with the semicircular groove. The third corner brick 30 also hasa layout of the holes 37, 38 substantially coincident with the layout asin the first corner brick 10. However, an end face on an opposite sidein comparison to the second corner brick 20, i.e., the end face of theside provided with the hole 38 is formed with the semicircular groove39. The fourth corner brick 40 has a layout of the holes 47, 48identical with a layout of the holes 7, 8 of the regular brick 1. Asemicircular groove 49 is formed on only one end face.

[0052] Metal plates 51, 52 are shown in FIG. 6, which can be insertedbetween vertically adjacent bricks. The two-holes plate 51 isillustrated in FIG. 6(A), the plate having a length approximately equalto the length of brick 1. A three-holes plate 52 is shown in FIG. 6(B),the length of plate 52 being one and half times as long as the length ofbrick 1. The plates 51,52 are made to be rectangular thin plates whichare approximately 1 mm in thickness, and the width of plate 51,52 is setto be slightly smaller than the width of body portion 2.

[0053] The plates 51,52 are provided with bolt holes 53 of a relativelysmall diameter and a bolt hole 54 of a relatively large diameter.Normally, the holes 53,54 are alternately positioned. A diameter of thebolt hole 53 is set to be slightly larger than the external diameter ofa brick-fastening bolt (FIG. 6), and a diameter of the bolt hole 54 isset to be larger than the diameter of the bolt hole by approximately 6mm. When the brick-fastening bolt 60 (FIG. 6) is inserted into the hole54, a sufficient clearance is given in the hole 54 so that positioningof the plates 51, 52 relative to the brick 1 can be simplified byapproximately situating the hole 54 and that a setting error of the bolt60 (inclination or horizontal deviation) is allowable, which may becaused during bricklaying work.

[0054] As the other elements, adjuster plates (not shown) having asuitable thickness are used for bricklaying work. In the bricklayingstep, several types of metal plates or metal strips having thickness of2 mm, 3 mm and the like are prepared in advance as being adjusterplates. Such adjuster plates are properly inserted between thevertically adjacent bricks when leveling work of the bricks is required.

[0055]FIGS. 6 through 8 are cross-sectional views and a perspective viewshowing a standard bricklaying method of the regular brick 1.

[0056] The bricks 1 are vertically stacked and the metal plate 51 or 52is interposed between the bricks 1. The bricks 1 are laid in a staggeredarrangement so that the bricks 1 are offset relatively to each other ina direction of wall center by a half length of the brick, as shown inFIG. 8. The semicircular groove 9 of the adjacent bricks 1 in the samelevel forms the channel 80 having a circular cross-section, in which along nut or high nut 70 can be contained. The bolt hole 7 of the brick 1is registered to the center of curvature of the semicircular groove 9 onthe upper and lower bricks 1, i.e., the center of channel 80, whereasthe through-holes 8 of the bricks 1 are vertically aligned with eachother. The holes 53, 54 of the plates 51, 52 interposed between theupper and lower bricks 1 are in alignment with the channel 80 and thebolt hole 7. A fully screw-cut bolts 60 are inserted through the boltholes 7, channels 80 and holes 53, 54, the bolt 60 having a height(length) substantially equal to the overall height of two-layeredbricks. The nuts 70 engageable with the bolt 60 are inserted in thechannels 80.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 6, the plates 51 are positioned on the uppersurface of the brick 1A:1B which has been already laid in position, anda circular washer 63 and a spring washer 62 are positioned on the plate51 so as to be in registration with the bolt hole 53. A nut 70 isengaged with an upper end portion of the bolt 60A which extends throughthe hole 53 and washers 63, 62, and protrudes upwardly. The upper endportion of the bolt 60A is tightened to the lower half of an internalthread groove 71.

[0058] A specific fixing tool 100 as illustrated by phantom lines inFIG. 6 may be used for tightening the nut 70 onto the bolt 60A. Thefixing tool 100 is provided with a portable driving mechanism 101, asocket part 102 selectively engageable with the bolt 60A and the nut 70,and a joint part 103 which can integrally connect the proximal portionof the socket 102 with a rotary shaft 104 of the driving mechanism 101.The socket part 102 receives the nut 70 so as to transmit the torque ofthe mechanism 101 to the nut 70, thereby rotating the nut in its fixingdirection. The nut 70 rotates relatively to the bolt 60A to be securelytightened on the upper end portion of the bolt 60A.

[0059] In a succeeding bricklaying step, the bricks 1C for the upperlayer are laid on the brick 1B residing in the lower layer. The channel80 is formed by the semicircular grooves 9 of the adjacent bricks 1C,and the nut 70 is contained in the channel 80. The metal plate 51 islaid on the bricks 1C and the bricks 1D for the still upper layer arefurther laid on the plate 51. A bolt 60B is inserted into the bolt hole7 of the brick 1D so that the lower end portion of the bolt 60B isscrewed into the nut 70. The aforementioned fixing tool 100 is used fortightening the bolt to the nut 70. The socket part 102 of the tool 100receives the upper end portion of the bolt 60B to transmit the torque ofthe driving mechanism 101 to the bolt 60B, so that the bolt 60B isrotated in its fixing direction. As the result, the bolt 60B is securelytightened to the nut 70.

[0060] The brick-laid condition of the bricks 1A:1B:1C:1D thusconstructed is shown in FIG. 7. The steps of assembling the bricks 1,washers 63, 62, bolt 60 and nut 70 are repeatedly carried out in thelayers above the bricks 1C:1D, whereby a continuous wall is constructedwith the bricks 1 being integrally laid by the constituents or elements60:62:63:70 of the fastening means.

[0061] Tensile stress in response to the tightening torque acts aspre-stress on the bolt 60 engaged with the upper or lower nuts 70, andcompressive stress acts as pre-stress on the brick 1 laid between theupper and lower plate 51, 52. The torque of the bolt 60 and nut 70 inthe upper layer transmits to the bolt 60 and nut 70 of the layerimmediately thereunder, and acts to further tighten the underside boltand nut. Therefore, a series of connected bolts 60 and nuts 70 functionsin such a manner that the tightening torque of the upper bolts 60 andnuts 70 is transmitted to the lower bolts 60 and nuts 70, and that thelower bolts 60 and nuts 70 are further tightened by a strongertightening torque as the bricks 1 are laid upwardly. This results inthat the pre-stress of a substantially high strength acts on the bolts60 and the bricks 1 residing in the lower layer, and therefore, that therigidity and toughness of the wall is substantially improved against thehorizontal and vertical external rocking forces.

[0062]FIG. 9 is a perspective view exemplifying a corner part of thewall constructed by the bricklaying method as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. Forsimplification of the drawings, the plates 51, 52 interposed between therespective layers are not shown in FIG. 9.

[0063] The walls W of the bricks 1 join together at a right angle toeach other in a corner of the building and the like so as to form acorner part C. In the corner part C, the first corner bricks 10 as shownin FIG. 3 are laid at a right angle to each other in an alternate order.The through-hole 18 of the brick 10 positioned at the externallyprojected corner is vertically aligned with each other to form acontinuous vertical hole having a relatively large diameter at theexternal corner. Long and fully screw-threaded bolts 65, each having alarge diameter and a length of approximately 1 meter, are inserted intothe hole 18 and connected to each other by long nuts (not shown) in asimilar manner as in the aforementioned bolts 60. An L-shaped metalplate 55 is positioned in the uppermost layer of the wall W and nuts 69are screwed on the bolts 65. The continuously connected bolts 65 aretightened throughout by a high tightening torque when the uppermost nut69 is screwed on the bolt 65, and pre-stress is introduced into thebolts 65.

[0064] Since the corner brick 10 is not provided with the skirt 4 andthe shoulder 6, the flat-bottom-type bricks 1′ are laid between thecorner part C and the straight wall part W constructed by the regularbricks 1. A half of the flat-bottom-type brick 1′ overlaps the cornerbrick 10 and the remaining half of the brick 1′ overlaps the regularbrick 1. The flat-bottom-type brick 1′ is also positioned in thelowermost layer of the wall W which is in contact with an upper surfaceof the footing G (shown in phantom lines).

[0065] According to such steps of bricklaying method in use of the firstcorner brick 10, the corner part C can be constructed with use of theholes 17, 18 of the brick 10.

[0066] In order to desirably give the pre-stress to all of the regularbricks 1 in the bricklaying method with use of the bolt 60 and the nut70, it is necessary to render the hole 7 and channel 80 (or hole 8)vertically in alignment with each other, preferably, in an alternateorder. However, as regards the corner part C with the first cornerbricks 10, it might be difficult to impose the pre-stress on some of theregular bricks 1 adjacent to the brick 10, as shown in hatching in FIG.11(A).

[0067]FIGS. 10 and 11(B) are perspective views showing an alternativeembodiment of the corner part as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 (A).

[0068] With regard to the corner parts C of the wall as illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11(B), the second corner bricks 20 as shown in FIG. 4(A)are laid at a projecting corner part. In the corner part C with use ofthe second corner bricks 20, the semicircular grooves 29 of the bricks20 define channels 80 for containing the long nut in cooperation withthe semicircular grooves 9 of the adjacent brick 1, every second step.Therefore, the bolt hole 7 for inserting the bolt 60 therethrough andthe channel 80 for containing the nut 70 are provided every second stepas shown in FIG. 11(B). Thus, desired pre-stress can be imposed on thebricks 1 adjacent to the second corner bricks 20 by application of thebricklaying structure as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. The third and fourthcorner bricks 30, 40 as shown in FIGS. 4(B) and 4(C) may be laid at thecorner part C in an alternate order.

[0069]FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views showing details around anopening of a wall constructed in accordance with the bricklaying methodas shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. FIG. 12 is relevant to a single-brick wallwith a single row of the regular bricks 1 arranged in alignment with thecenter line of wall, and FIG. 13 is relevant to a double-bricks wallwith double rows of the regular bricks 1 arranged in parallel.

[0070] The architectural wall W is provided with various kinds ofopenings, e.g., openings for window frames, door frames, buildingutility system and so forth. The fourth corner brick 40 as shown in FIG.4(C) is used for a frame F of opening in the single-brick wall as shownin FIG. 12. In addition to the bricks 40, regular bricks 1,flat-bottom-type bricks 1′ and column bricks 90 are used around theopening of wall. The column brick 90, a plan view of which is generallyshown in FIG. 12, has overall dimensions corresponding to a half of thecorner brick 40, and is provided with a bolt hole 97 positioned at itscenter and a semicircular groove 99 on its end face. Since the fourthcorner brick 40 does not have the skirt 4 and the shoulder 6, theflat-bottom-type bricks 1′ are used in the portion partially overlappingthe bricks 40.

[0071] As regards the frame portion F for the opening O, bricklayingwork starts from the regular bricks 1 to be in the lowermost position ofthe opening. The bricks 40, 90 are alternately laid so as to make thechannels 80, every second step, with use of the semicircular grooves 99of the column bricks 90 and the groove 9 of the flat-bottom-type bricks1′, and contain the long nuts 70 in the channels 80. The bricks 40, 90of the opening frame portion F is vertically built-up with use of bolts60, the nut 70 and the plates 51, 52 in relation to the channels 80 andthe bolt holes 47. At the same time, the bolts 60 and the nuts 70 arealternately positioned in the holes 97, 48 and securely tightened witheach other. The pre-stress by the tightening force of the bolts 60 andthe nuts 70 is imposed on the bricks 40, 90 upon this process, asdescribed above.

[0072] On the other hand, the third corner bricks 30 are used toconstruct the opening frame portion F for the double-bricks wall asshown in FIG. 13. The bricks 30 are laid in an alternate order with useof the bolts 60, long nuts 70 and plates 51, 52 so that pre-stress bythe tightening force of the bolts 60 and the nuts 70 is imposed on thebricks 30. The flat-bottom-type bricks 1′ are used in the portionpartially overlapping the bricks 30 so that the opening frame portion Fis formed in continuation with the wall W of the regular bricks 1.

[0073]FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a structure ofcolumn-configured part constructed in accordance with the bricklayingmethod as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8.

[0074] In a case where the wall constructed by the regular bricks 1,especially a single-brick wall, supports a horizontal member B such as abeam or girder constituting a floor structure of second floor, a rooftruss or the like, it would be necessary to provide a column-configuredpart E as shown in FIG. 14 in order to support the load of thehorizontal member B.

[0075] The column-configured part E as shown in FIG. 14 is constructedby laying a pair of first corner bricks 10 in each step and arrangingthem at a right angle in turn every step. The bolt hole 17 andthrough-hole 18 of the first corner brick 10 are arranged vertically inan alternate order and the metal plates 51 are interposed between thebricks 10 in the respective steps.

[0076] The bricks 10 are laid while tightening the bolts 60 and nuts 70,and this allows the integral column-configured part E to be constructedwhile pre-stress are imposed on the bricks 10. A bolt hole at the end ofhorizontal member B is engaged to a portion of the bolt 60 protrudingfrom the upper end face of the column-configured part E and a nut 66 issecurely tightened to the bolt 60 so as to fix the end portion of themember B on the top end of the column-configured part E.

[0077] Although the present invention has been described as to specificembodiments, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments,but may be modified and changed without departing from the scope of theinvention as claimed in the attached claims.

[0078] For instance, the dimensions of the bricks can be appropriatelymodified in accordance with various kinds of standards, such as abuilding standard, industrial standard and so forth.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0079] As described above, the present invention can provide abricklaying structure and a bricklaying method which can be adapted to avariety of building structural details, e.g., corner, opening andcolumnar configurations.

[0080] Further, the present invention can provide a brick manufacturingmethod of manufacturing bricks adaptable to a variety of buildingstructural details, e.g., corner, opening and columnar configurations.

1. A bricklaying structure which has bricks and metal plates stacked,and fastening means extending through bolt holes of the bricks, thefastening means securely tightened to integrally connect the verticallyadjacent bricks under pre-stress, wherein said brick is provided with abolt hole (7;17;27;37;47) of a small diameter vertically extendingthrough the brick and at least two through-holes (8;18;28;38;48) havinga diameter larger than the diameter of said bolt hole, said bolt holehas a diameter which allows a bolt (60) constituting said fasteningmeans to extend therethrough, said through-hole has a diameter forcontaining a nut (70) which can be engaged with said bolt, said bolthole and through-holes are arranged on a longitudinal center line ofsaid brick in order, and a center of said bolt hole, centers of saidthrough-holes and respective end faces of said brick are spaced apart anequal distance from each other in a longitudinal direction of saidbrick.
 2. A bricklaying structure as defined in claim 1, wherein saidend face of the brick is provided with a vertical groove (9;29;39;49) ina form of semicircle, a center of curvature of the groove is positionedon said center line, and the vertical groove provides a vertical channel(80) in cooperation with a vertical groove of an adjacent brick, thechannel having a diameter for containing the nut.
 3. A bricklayingstructure as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein said through-holes form avertically continuous hole through which a long bolt (65) of a largediameter can be inserted, when the bricks are laid in a condition thatsaid bricks are alternately oriented at a right angle with each otherand that said through-holes are vertically in alignment with each other.4. A bricklaying method in which bricks and metal plates with bolt holesare alternately stacked and small diameter bolts (60) extending throughsaid bolt holes are securely tightened to vertically and integrallyconnect said bricks with each other, while giving pre-stress to saidbolts, comprising the steps of: stacking corner bricks (10;20;30;40),each having a through-hole (18;28;38;48) vertically extendingtherethrough with a diameter of said through-hole being larger than adiameter of said bolt hole (17;27;37;47), so that said through-holes arevertically arranged in order; and inserting through said through-hole, alarge diameter long bolt (65) with its diameter being larger than thatof said small diameter bolt, and securely tightening said corner bricksby said long bolt.
 5. A bricklaying method as defined in claim 4,wherein a straight wall (W) is constructed by laying regular bricks (1),each having a raised center part (2 a) on its top face and a skirt (4)along a side edge of its bottom face, the corner bricks is laid at acorner part (C) of the wall, and flat-bottom-type bricks (1′) are laidat a portion of the wall at least partially overlapping the cornerbricks, said flat-bottom-type brick having a configuration of saidregular brick from which said skirt is excluded.
 6. A bricklaying methodin which bricks and metal plates with bolt holes are alternately stackedand small diameter bolts (60) extending through said bolt holes aresecurely tightened to vertically and integrally connect said bricks witheach other, while imposing pre-stress on said bolts, comprising thesteps of: stacking corner bricks (10;20;30;40), each having athrough-hole (18;28;38;48) vertically extending therethrough with adiameter of said through-hole being larger than a diameter of said bolthole (17;27;37;47), so that said bolt holes and said through-holes arevertically arranged in an alternate order; and containing in saidthrough-hole, nuts (70) engageable with said small diameter bolts tosecurely tighten said corner bricks with said small diameter bolts andsaid nuts.
 7. A bricklaying method as defined in claim 6, wherein astraight wall (W) is constructed by laying regular bricks (1), eachhaving a raised center part (2 a) on its top face and a skirt (4) alonga side edge of its bottom face, the corner bricks are laid at a cornerpart (C) of the wall, and a flat-bottom-type bricks (1′) are laid at aportion of the wall at least partially overlapping the corner bricks,said flat-bottom-type brick having a configuration of said regular brickfrom which said skirt is excluded.
 8. A bricklaying method as defined inclaim 6, wherein said corner bricks are arranged in parallel in eachstep, said corner bricks vertically adjacent to each other are orientedat a right angle with each other, and said nuts (70) contained in saidthrough-holes of the corner bricks and the bolts (60) inserted into saidbolt holes of the corner bricks are connected with each other so as tomake a columnar configuration.
 9. A method of manufacturing a brick usedfor a bricklaying structure in which the bricks and metal plates arealternately stacked and fastening means extending through bolt holes ofthe bricks is securely tightened so as to connect the verticallyadjacent bricks integrally under pre-stress of the said fastening means,comprising: forming a bolt hole (7;17;27;37;47) vertically extendingthrough the brick and at least two through-holes (8;18;28;38;48) withthe holes being spaced an equal distance from each other on alongitudinal center line of the brick, said bolt hole having a diameterfor allowing a bolt (60) of said fastening means to extend therethrough,and said through-hole having a diameter for containing a nut (70)engageable with said bolt, whereby plural sorts of irregular bricksapplicable to architectural details of structure are manufactured independence on arrangements of said bolt hole and through-holes.
 10. Amethod of manufacturing a brick as defined in claim 9, wherein an endface of the brick is provided with a vertical semicircular groove(9;29;39;49), and the groove provides a vertical channel (80) incooperation with a vertical groove of an adjacent brick, the channelhaving a diameter for containing the nut (70) of said fastening means.